Approximately 14 minutes and 15 seconds after liftoff, the H-IIA rocket released ASTRO-H and placed it 580km above the Earth’s surface.

Astro-H is JAXA’s sixth satellite dedicated to the study of x-ray astronomy and is capable of observing x-ray sources, such as galaxy clusters and neutron stars more than ten times fainter than its predecessor, Suzaku.

US-based Formation Design Group developed a new seating concept for aircraft that allows elevated seats to fold into beds.

The company claims the new lie-flat seating concept is the next major evolution in premium seating. The configuration features lie-flat beds that are arranged to allow seat counts to be similar with traditional angled flat seats, while offering larger beds when compared to staggered arrangements.

The concept enables direct aisle access for all seats and is made possible due to the use of vertical cabin space through a small elevation change included into every third seat.

EasyJet is planning to trial new hydrogen fuel cell powered hybrid planes to save up to 50,000t of fuel a year and cut carbon emissions.

The new concept can help the airline to save between $25m and $35m a year on the cost of fuel, reports Reuters.

The technology works by tapping energy as the plane brakes on landing and uses captured energy to power the aircraft while taxiing on the land. The technology is similar to the one designed for Formula 1 cars.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed an order to buy a helium-filled aerostat, allied airborne equipment and operator training in Jacksonville, Florida, US, from Drone Aviation Holding (DAC).

In August, EPA awarded a contract to DAC for a customised winch system and related equipment under the agency’s National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL) programme for emissions sampling using tethered aerostats.

Drone Aviation Holding chairman Jay Nussbaum said: "With this purchase by the EPA, we have further strengthened our relationship with this important government agency and continue to demonstrate the value of our tethered aerostat systems.

After completion of the acquisition, AIM Aerospace will support Liberty Hall’s new strategy to create a fully integrated, diversified composites supplier network through organic investments and planned acquisitions.